LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #	154210
PDF Available	PDF
State Police #	14-00933
Accident Date	2014-02-27
Report Date	2014-03-06
Follow-up Date	2014-06-24
Follow-up:	Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant	Duration	Point Source	Greenhouse Gas	Criteria Pollutant	Ozone forming chemical	Amount of Release
Carbon Monoxide	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	YES	NO	636.4 pounds
1-Butene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	38.3 pounds
Carbon Dioxide	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	YES	NO	NO	BRQ
Ethane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	BRQ
Ethylene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	9.5 pounds
Hydrogen	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	BRQ
n-Hexane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	0.4 pounds
Propane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	58.7 pounds
Propylene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	257.0 pounds
Methane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	YES	NO	YES	BRQ
Isobutane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	111.2 pounds
Isobutylene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	41.0 pounds
1,3-Butadiene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	2.6 pounds
n-Butane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	26.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	YES	YES	117.0 pounds
Particulate Matter	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	YES	NO	22.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	YES	NO	355.2 pounds
trans-2-Butene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	41.5 pounds
cis-2-Butene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	25.7 pounds
3-Methyl-1-Butene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	3.0 pounds
Isopentane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	YES	16.4 pounds
n-Pentane	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	3.9 pounds
trans-2-Pentene	2d 5h 30m	RCCU	NO	NO	NO	20.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

On 2/27/2014, an unexpected leak occured on Motiva's Residual Catalytic Cracking Unit (RCCU) second cyclone dip leg. Due to the location of the leak, the catalyst leak cound not be safely repaired while the unit was fully operations. A partial shutdown of the RCCU was conducted to stop the leak and complete repairs. While the unit was partially shut down, flaring occured intermittently at the RCCU Elevated Flare (EPN FE201) to safely stabilize equipment that was still operational. During the start up of RCCU, untreated dry gas was flared at the GO1 Elevated Flare.

Discharge Preventable - No

This incident was not preventable as the catalyst leak from the second cyclone dip leg could not be expected.

Notes/Remedial Actions

To minimize additional unit upset and to safely repair the catalyst leak , the RCCU Unit was partially shut down in a safe manner. The catalyst leak was stopped and the second cyclone dip leg was repaired. The original report and the first follow up report included in the event description that untreated dry gas was flared at the GO1 Elevated Flare during the start-up of RCCU. This was not included in the final follow up report. Additionally, two follow up reports were sent by Motiva, the first dated 4/24/2014 to provide a 60 day follow up. In this correspondence it is stated that they will provide a second update within 60 days, as data gathering and investigation was ongoing. The final follow up report was received on 6/24/2014.